Here it is, Secret Style’s first ever guest blog post, enjoy…
It’s that time again! The shops are overflowing with jovial Christmas decorations, the streets are lit up with amazing pockets of coloured lights and our TV screens display endless visions of an ideal Christmas with all the family! But Christ (excuse the pun), we all know how stressful the follow up to Christmas day can be – and getting everyone’s presents sorted adds to that pressure.
Being a lover of all things beauty, I don’t think Christmas day is quite complete without receiving some gorgeous make up, skincare or anything of the cosmetic nature. So in this SecretStyleFile blog entry I give you a guide to the best beauty must haves for Christmas 2012.
First up is Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish Limited Edition 150ml – £19.75. This cult classic has had a festive revamp and is finished with an exclusive Christmas wreath design celebrating the botanical science at the heart of all Liz Earle products. Cleanse & Polish is suitable for all skin types whatever your age and has been termed “a British beauty essential” in building the foundation for fabulous skin. Available singularly or in pre made gifts packs this beauty product makes both a luxurious stocking filler or the little gift amongst the big!
Next we have the Bobbi Brown Rich Caviar Eye Palette – £42.00. A gorgeously packaged eye palette with 6 mix and match shades perfect for all your festivity events! It holds Bobbi’s beloved neutral base shade ‘Bone” and of course “Rich Caviar” to create an undeniably show stopping smokey eye. The complimentary metallic shades create a gorgeous sparkly texture to the eyelid and really give an intense but sophisticated look. I for one favour a smokey eye for almost all my nights out and loved the results from this palette! It is ever so conveniently compact and has all the tools you need to take you from day to night – definitely one for a party gilrl’s christmas list!
Now this one is for all the traditional Christmas lovers out there! Lush From The North Pole – £26.50 is a spectacularly festive box full of Lush bath time goodies in adorable Christmas shapes. The quirky candy cane themed gift box holds a collection of 6 soaps and salts for all your bath time needs. I don’t know about you guys, but I am a sucker for packaging and Lush really know how to woo with their great attention to detail and amazing handmade cosmetics.
Did I hear someone say decadence? They must be talking about Regard Signe De Chanel Quadra Eye shadow – £43.00. Chanel do an amazing job every year by stunning us with their Christmas collection, and they have done it again with this magnificent eye palette. This iconic packaged palette encases 4 luxurious quilted shadows in warm festive colours to glam you up for all your swanky festive gatherings. TOP TIP – The warm gold shade acts not only as an all over lid colour but a great highlighter for the brow also – a little tip to make your eyes pop like Christmas fairy lights! This is truly the perfect gift if you’re looking to spoil a certain little madame at Christmas.
Dare to be different this Christmas? Then Illamasqua Ltd Edition ‘Freak’ Extrait De Parfum – £75.00 is exactly the way to do it. Freak has been remixed and packs a more intense and sultry punch, perfect for lovers of a warm note or two. This gorgeously dark scent (which mixes notes of Frankincense and Myrrh – can you get more Christmas than that?) comes packaged in true Illamasqua style and fits perfectly into the Christmas theme of things. A spectacular sable for that vixen to team with a top of the line cocktail dress and a smokey eye to die for!
Christmas can of course be an expensive time for all of us and even the small gifts can add up, but with Dirty Works Hanging Washbag – £7.99, I don’t think any of us can shout ‘bargain’ quick enough! I love retro packaging and Dirty Works has the most adorable designs for their beauty range. I don’t think there’s any girl out there who doesn’t appreciate being able to see all her cosmetics, skincare etc when she’s on a mission to get ready and the hanging function makes this washbag even better! Perfect for travelling, festivals and beyond this triple compartment wonder is all you need to hold your beauty tools and more. Available from most Sainsbury’s, this cute little find is even convenient to pick up with your weekly shop!
This beauty find speaks for itself; Mac’s Viva Glam It Up Bag – £30.00 is one everyone should know about! A while back Mac joined forces with Hip – Hop diva Nicky Minaj and Pop Icon Ricky Martin to create a Viva Glam range (lipstick and lip conditioner) to raise money for The Mac Aids Fund – a charity which helps women, men and children everywhere whom are affected with HIV & AIDS. To raise even more awareness they’ve produced a gorgeous clasp – top clutch with black leopard exterior and sultry red satin lining, however its biggest talent is what it holds! Inside you will find both Mac’s Viva Glam signature products; Nicki Minaj’s self named lipstick, “Viva Glam Nicki” in a show stopping pink and Ricky Martin’s limited edition lip conditioner which keeps lips sensationally soft and supple. A beauty must have to help you look fashionable and gorgeous in 2 steps and you’re also doing your bit for charity!
This little find is Benefit’s Let There Be Bright Skincare set – £39.00. Those of who you are familiar with Benefit’s ways will know they always dazzle us with their Christmas gift boxes and this one hasn’t fallen short. Not long ago they released a fantastic skincare range with skin brightening technology and it took the nation by storm! So the clever little devils at Benefit headquarters have put together an adorable suitcase of all their best bits, including the almighty Porefessional – a PRO balm to minimize the appearance of pores and perfectly prep the skin. Being a former Benebabe, I can vouch for Porefessional – it really works magic on any canvas and leaves skin looking flawless and feeling silky smooth! To look bright and merry this Christmas grab this stunning gift box (the cherubs have even wrapped it for you) for your loved one soon – they are sure to fly off shelves!
If I could talk about beauty all day I would and I definitely think I could a pick a million and one more products for my Christmas Beauty Picks but I shall leave you with these marvellous finds for now! There are always plenty of excellent beauty products out there but during the festive season the extra special ones come out the crevices and really surprise me. Whether you are looking for a bargain or an extravagant gift for that special someone, the treats above are sure to be received with pleasure this year! Now ladies, we don’t get termed “organised” for nothing, get out there and start crossing off presents from the Christmas shopping list!
Guest Blog Post by DM ♥
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- Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas (thediscoverystoreblog.wordpress.com)
- Beauty brands go crackers for Christmas (fashion.telegraph.co.uk)
